Tottenham defend lack of January transfer activity amid criticism from captain Romero

Tottenham have defended their approach to the January transfer window following criticism from fans and within the squad, with sporting director Johan Lange outlining the club’s reasoning and insisting that limited activity did not reflect a lack of ambition.

Captain Cristian Romero questioned the club’s direction amid a mounting injury crisis, posting his frustrations on social media minutes after the transfer deadline passed.

Speaking after the window closed, Lange sought to provide supporters with some context around Tottenham’s decision-making.

He described January as an unusually subdued window across European football, arguing that Tottenham were not alone in finding opportunities limited.

“I saw this window here as one of the quieter January windows across not only the Premier League, but across football in general.

He pointed to the expanded European calendar as a key factor, with more clubs still competing in continental competitions deep into January, reducing player movement.

“That meant that there were simply not many available players across the whole marketplace during January,” Lange said.

“When we go into January, we didn’t anticipate that we’ll have seven injuries during the month of January.

“It’s very important, even though that is highly frustrating with all the injuries, to remain disciplined.

“If you then go in and make a stress purchase of any football players, then yes, the immediate feeling gives you is nice, but there’s no point in signing players that have not helped us in the short term, in the medium term, or even in the long term.”

He added that most injured players are expected to return later this season, reinforcing the decision to avoid reactive deals.

Lange praises ‘very willing’ owners

Addressing suggestions that the club failed to sufficiently back the team, Lange stressed that Tottenham’s approach was shaped by financial regulations rather than a lack of willingness to invest.

“Even though that our financial situation under the rules are better than most clubs, and we have owners who are very willing to invest, it is important that we are under those rules.

“So, it is important that we sign the right players. I think also Thomas has been quite clear on two players we wanted to bring in, but it wasn’t a lack of willingness for the club to make the investment to support the team.”
Lange acknowledged that additional signings in January would have been welcomed but said the club now expect greater scope for activity in the summer.

“The summer market is where eight or nine out of 10 players, they move clubs, so we will go into the summer window with big ambitions of strengthening the team.

“We know there’ll be more movements, we know there’ll be more opportunities, so the plans are already, can you see, drawn up. We have a clear picture of which position and also which profiles.

“Could we have brought one or two more in this January window? We would have been delighted to do so. but that was not a possibility. So, we are looking forward to the summer, now we focus on the rest of the season and that is very, very important as well because we have big objectives.

“We’re still in the Champions League. We want to, of course, be higher in the Premier League and then myself and others will have our eyes already now directed towards the summer transfer window.”